This Christmas
Time Flies, It's Christmas Again.
Everyone I have met have commented how amazingly time flew this year. That was what they said last year. They said but it seemed even quicker now. And that my friend is the essence of it all for it is now Christmas!
Everyone I have met have commented how amazingly time flew this year. That was what they said last year. They said but it seemed even quicker now. And that my friend is the essence of it all for it is now Christmas!
People used to say what are you waiting for? Christmas? In other words, you have to do things in the "now". Do not buy new clothes and keep them for next Christmas, wear then now. Do not wait for the next time to show your spouse, parents, siblings and children love, show them now. I say show them love not spoil them. Why? Simple as that, tomorrow may never come. That is why we are called the human race, a race against time, a race where nobody wins actually. For we are a fallen race.
Christmas excited me when I was a young child because I learnt to make my own and first Christmas cards. I got to send them to friends with personal messages. I got to buy a new toy and meet Santa Claus if we were lucky perhaps that was the time dad got a bonus and had a lucky dip for a surprise present. (A lucky dip was something like where you paid a dollar and you dip your hands into a bag of presents and picked one not knowing what you might get).
As I grew up, I noticed that Christmas has increasingly been a majority of the world's adults preoccupation of shopping and merry-making, an over indulgence and abuse of all our senses. If we look around us, there are many people in this world who needs help. You do not have to look further, just go local and take a look at Singapore.
Charity
I appreciate all the Internet savvy Singaporeans who went to the aid of a tourist who got conned at Sim Lim Square. It shows your sense of righteousness and kindness but do not be taken in easily by social media. I thought that tourist was wearing a gold watch and ring and if he earns $200 a month why did he come all the way to buy an iPhone? I urge all you kind Singaporeans to take a walk at Chinatown or anywhere else where there are old folks without meals, why not go buy them one. Pay a visit to a charity say a children's home, etc. Go help them.
A Christmas Song For You
Recently, I realised a few friends love this song which has a good message of peace not war. The world should be a place of love not hate. Peace not war.
Christmas excited me when I was a young child because I learnt to make my own and first Christmas cards. I got to send them to friends with personal messages. I got to buy a new toy and meet Santa Claus if we were lucky perhaps that was the time dad got a bonus and had a lucky dip for a surprise present. (A lucky dip was something like where you paid a dollar and you dip your hands into a bag of presents and picked one not knowing what you might get).
As I grew up, I noticed that Christmas has increasingly been a majority of the world's adults preoccupation of shopping and merry-making, an over indulgence and abuse of all our senses. If we look around us, there are many people in this world who needs help. You do not have to look further, just go local and take a look at Singapore.
Charity
I appreciate all the Internet savvy Singaporeans who went to the aid of a tourist who got conned at Sim Lim Square. It shows your sense of righteousness and kindness but do not be taken in easily by social media. I thought that tourist was wearing a gold watch and ring and if he earns $200 a month why did he come all the way to buy an iPhone? I urge all you kind Singaporeans to take a walk at Chinatown or anywhere else where there are old folks without meals, why not go buy them one. Pay a visit to a charity say a children's home, etc. Go help them.
A Christmas Song For You
Recently, I realised a few friends love this song which has a good message of peace not war. The world should be a place of love not hate. Peace not war.
So This Is Christmas (John Lennon):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prlf5y5iRv0
(Sarah McLachlan version):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWqbv6NdqXs
(Celine Dion version):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I7RKxOL6gk
(War Is Over - Official Video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S84RLgnz7Rs
Peace And Harmony
It does not matter to me if you are a free thinker or what religion you follow. I do not know what you think, care less for what you say but it is important what you do and though Singapore has never been a perfect place with our warts and all, I continue to be grateful for our peace and harmony and could not help feeling that we are truly blessed in so many ways. I also found a message so well-written by a Muslim and fellow Singaporean who put things in perspective and so succinctly. You must all read this article and feel respect for her. If only there were more rational people like her.
https://fyndingnoor.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/to-churches-of-singapore-3/
A Friend
What do you look for in a friend? In John 15:13, it says "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friend." He did.
John 15:15 - ''No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends.'' Abraham was called a friend of God (James 2:23).
Read this - ''A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother'' - Proverbs 18:24. In Revelation 3:20, it is written - ''Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.''
''Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'' (Matthew 11:28). (We all are heavy laden and need rest badly.)
Then in Philippians 2:1-30, a powerful message: ''So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Another good, friendly advice: ''Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.'' - Romans 12:2.
Even our government spoke about ''Servant-Leader". What is a servant leader? Simple. You serve the very people that you lead.
What do you look for in a leader? Leadership by example is one of the greatest traits in leadership skills because it is the most difficult. A leader can be pragmatic, experience, visionary, etc. but to be a leader by example it takes a lot more than anything else.
Jesus always led by example in everything. Whatever he expected his disciples to do, he showed them first how it is done. In the modern world, many leaders expect their subordinates to perform tasks that they themselves are not capable of. There is no credibility in this situation and your followers will lose their respect for you. Keep to a ''standard'' if you want your team to keep to a standard.
Good leaders do not try to be someone or be something they are not. They are self aware and honest with themselves in the very first place. It is impossible to please everybody as a leader. You please one you may have to tick off another but it has to be for the right reason. Jesus ticks off people for being hypocrites. A leader must be motivated. Not motivated for personal self-interest. Pay no attention to people who cheer you or jeer you.
A good leader must know what he wish to accomplish. If you are moving in the wrong direction, change now! Jesus was always purpose-driven. A great leader builds a great team. You can't lead by yourself, you do it as a team. The real test of leadership finally is if there is anyone following you. Jesus took the most humble of people and made them into leaders.
A leader must be driven with an iron will and be very focus. Focus on what is important. Good leadership is extremely hard work. Seriously good leaders drain themselves of all their energy. So you have to renew and recharge. You need some time alone, to relax.
Leaders of men are later remembered less for the usefulness of what they have achieved than for the sweep of their endeavors. - Charles De Gaulle.
A leader needs to inspire. A great leader inspires people with their vision and carry the people's trust and lift the spirit of their men. That gives you perseverance to overcome.
Humility is another great and special leadership skill because it is as hard to have it and rarely do people have that. Learn humility - ''For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and he who humbles himself will be exalted''. (Luke 14:11)
“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
Remember the Golden Rule - ''Do unto others as you would have them do unto you''. (Matthew 7:12). Simple to say it. In fact you know it but how many are practitioners?
Finally, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and much more than that. He was the perfect leader where he even gave his life.
John 13:5-11 - Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterwards you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”
You do not need to be a Christian to learn leadership lessons from Jesus. He was the perfect leader and friend. A friend said something to me which was very meaningful and succinct. He said ''be the boss you always wanted to have but never had''.
If you think your life sucks, let Nick Vujicic inspire you.
Nick Vujicic
http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/podcasts/christmas-for-the-hurting/
Finally, if you are going to stuff yourselves silly with festive food and lots to drink, watch this:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152614914297840&set=vb.517477839&type=2&theater
Finally, in the midst of our modern world, people are increasingly knowing the price of everything but the value of none. Helen Keller said: ''The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.''
In Matthew 6:21, it is written ''Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.''
Wisdom
Ask for and find wisdom:
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better return than gold. She is more precious than rubies, nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand, in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Those who hold her fast will be blessed - Proverbs 3: 13-18.
She is Wisdom. Rare are those who find it.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!
Show your love and kindness always. Have God's peace! Geoffrey means God's peace. Have a bit of me, so that when you have peace within your own being, it radiates out into the world. The world becomes a more peaceful place - one person at a time. Like a ripple in a pond. Change yourself to change the world.
Merry Christmas! A Blessed year ahead to you and your family!
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